"LONG JOHNS" with a KILT ????

[puffer]

"Long Johns" with a KILT ??? Actually, I am SERIOUSE with this ????

Here is the reason.
I have a young friend ( 30s) that about a year ago started wearing KILTs as often as he can. (with the STRONG support of his charming wife )

Because he lives in an urban inviorement ( SEATTLE WA) Cold winter wear has not been a problem (Limited exposure to the elements - Short walks etc) (except going down the "DREADED FREEZER ISLE" )

BUT here is the situation he presented me with.

He and his wife are going to spend several days @ an Oktober Fest in a small town in the Cascade Mtn.s

A.Conditions:
1. His wife wants him to KILT UP
2. The temps will be below freezing a good share of the time.
3. Wind is also a factor
4. A good share of the time, they will be outside ( Strooling the streets while shopping, Attending Events, & WAITING in line for the "public Looos" etc.

B. KEEPING WARM - Top of the HOSE to upper Thighs
1. Upper body - NO problem.
2. Core area ( waist to upper thighs ( see below) Kilt will be one of 3 HEAVY Military regimental kilts.
3. Feet & calves - No Problem.
4. PROBLEM - Keeping the area from Top of Hose to the upper thighs WARM
Yes, I know the "THEORY" of the warm air being "trapped" by the kilt etc. BUT the "FACT of LIFE" (IMHO ) it does not always work this way

C. His wife's suggestion - Wear his "high tech" "long Johns" ( he has both black & navy" that he wears skiing) or Knitted "tights, Like she wears with skirts. or "panty hose".


WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ???

BTW, what about "tight fitting shorts (like lycra etc) ????

PUFFER

[McMurdo]

Show him this picture


Also tell him to get a good quality set of wool hose, he should not have any problem with the cold, I was very warm when that photo was taken, I had just helped shovel some snow and had to take my overcoat off as I was too warm.

[The Wizard of BC]

Take one standard pair of long johns.
Two lengths of elastic long enough to just go around the lower thigh (2-3 inches above the knee.
One pair of scissors.
A needle and thread or one sewing machine.

Put on the long johns and make a mark on the leg at mid-knee.
Take the long johns off.

Cut the legs of the long johns off at the mark you made.

Find your lengths of elastic and sew them into a loop just tight enough to stay in place by themselves. (Or about the tightness of a pair of flashes.)

Place the loop of elastic over the cut-off leg of the long johns.

Fold up a hem in the cut-off long johns and sew the elastic inside the hem.

You have now created KILT JOHNS.
congratulate yourself on a job well done with a wee dram.

[Detroitpete]

Puffer,

I live in Michigan where fall begins...oh..about the end of August and the winter seems to last until June. I wear kilts as often as I like, I hike all year long and am a highland athlete who competes and practices in all weather conditions. I just said all that so when I talk about wearing kilts in weird weather--I'm not just blowing smoke.

I find that unless its colder than 30 degrees with a nasty wind, just my normal 'standard weight' kilts do fine. I tend to beef up the hose I wear and layer my upper body--nice wool sweater on the outer layer.

When it gets downright mean-spirited cold--say in the 20's and lower and I'm outside being active (not a dress occasion) I wear either new microfiber long johns, or the good old stand by cotton waffle weave kind--but I cut them off above the knee--essesntially making long undershorts with them.

I actually find with my standard weight or heavier kilts, even if I'm just out and about and not being TOO active--this is fine. Anymore and I'd actually get overheated I think

[beloitpiper]

I say "man up" and wear the kilt like you're supposed to. Admittedly, sometimes when I'm outside in a kilt and it's below freezing (like, 50 or 60 below freezing) I'll pull the rolled-down part of my hose up until I get inside...but only when it's really cold.

[george7]

Get a heavier kilt pin. Wear shorts underneath. And maybe we've found the point at which wearing a kilt isn't practical if he's go to wear long johns. But hey... I haven't worn long johns since I was two. It has never snowed in my town (at least not since the last ice age).

[Detroitpete]

HEY!!! KILT JOHNS!!!!!! Exactly what I'm talking about when it comes to cutting the 'unders' at the knee.

Now--let's say you could get them in tartan...

The mind boggles!

[BruceBC]

Wizard you are a visionary. I was wondering how I was going to keep warm while snowshoeing in my kilt this year.

[BoldHighlander]

Puffer, have your friend check these out:

Ibex Wear Balance Runner

Ibex Wear Roaster Boxer

Smart Wool Microweight Boxer

[ForresterModern]

Try a pair of the lycra warm up shorts or bicycle type shorts (without the chamois pad of course). They are generally nearly knee length and stay tight to the skin so will not let the cold blows reach the nether regions. Then you will only have about 6 inches of expeosed knees between your hosetops and the bottom of your shorts. Betweenyour shorts and your military weight kilt you should be fine, as your knees can tolerate being a bit chilled for a long time (much better than say ears, face, hands or feet).